Wagons rolled out under darkened skiesThe sun refused to shineFour-hundred people full of hopes and dreamsIn eighteen-forty-nineThey waved goodbye, women dried their tearsYoung men hid their fearsThey headed west, full of confidenceThat their fortunes would appear

They packed a trunk full of china, a bible or twoA shotgun for Leroy, a pistol for LouA pretty dress for SarahAnd a hat for sister FayNo one thought their greed for gold would change their lives someday

They headed west in eighteen-forty-nineSixty-one wagons, two miles long in a lineThey headed west in eighteen-forty-nine

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March winds came, filled the sky with lightnin'It rained all day and nightOld men died and backs were brokenAs they set their wagons rightThey crossed the mountains, came down to the seaSure that it would beGold and riches and a life of easeBut what they didn't see...

Was a trunk full of china all broken in twoA shotgun for Leroy that he used on LouA pretty dress for SarahThat they used to bury FayNo one thought their greed for gold would change their lives that way

They came for gold in eighteen-forty-nineSixty-one wagons, two miles long in a lineA promised land in eighteen-forty-nineA promised land in eighteen-forty-nineA promised land in eighteen-forty-nine